Lane Hutson's rookie season with the Montreal Canadiens is reshaping perceptions about undersized players in the NHL. Standing under six feet tall, concerns surrounded his ability to navigate the physical demands of the league. However, Hutson has emerged as a standout defenseman, leading all rookies in scoring with 58 assists, the most for a rookie defenseman since Mathew Barzal. His offensive capabilities, characterized by elite skating and puck-handling skills, have positioned him among the NHL's top talents.

Hutson's transition game has been particularly effective, ranking high in shot assists, zone exits, and offensive zone possession time. He has managed to adapt his defensive play, improving significantly since early struggles, evidenced by a plus-14 rating following a challenging start. With a remarkable ability to create scoring chances and drive the Canadiens' offense, Hutson is not only proving skeptics wrong but also establishing himself as one of the league's most promising young defensemen.